Variety of pelargonium plant named &#39;pacapri&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct flowering  Pelargonium  plant with abundant apricot colored flowers.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Pelargonium peltatum hybride

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Pacapri’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium peltatum hybride known by the varietal name ‘Pacapri’. Thenew variety was discovered in a selected breeding program in Dresden,Germany. The new variety is the result of a cross between two unnamedand unpatented selections from a collection of proprietary breedingplants. The purpose of the breeding program was to find a new varietywith double flowering and an appealing color. The double flowering andgrowth characteristics of the new variety are similar to its parents butwith different flower color. The leaf texture and numerous flowers aresimilar to ‘Global Purple’ (U.S. Plant Patent Application No.09/773,016). The new variety differs from ‘Global Purple’ in flowercolor and growth habit. The new variety was first asexually reproducedin 2002 by cuttings or in-vitro culture in Dresden, Germany. The newvariety has been trial and field tested in Dresden and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive propagations. Characteristics distinguishable from othervarieties include:

Unique apricot flower color

Suitable for hanging baskets

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data that defines these characteristics were collectedby asexual reproductions carried out in a warm greenhouse in Dresden,Germany. The color readings were taken on a plant indoors under naturallight. The new variety was five months old when described. Colorreferences are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

Plant

-   Form: Cascading; hanging.-   Height: 12-15 cm from soil to top of foliage; 17-22 cm from soil to    top of umbels.-   Diameter: Approximately 25-32 cm.-   Growth: Well-branched and vigorous.-   Strength: Does not require artificial support; self-standing.-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at 23° C.-   Time to develop roots: About 30 days at 23° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 11 weeks in a 12 cm container.

Foliage

-   Arrangement: Alternate and opposite.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Length: Approximately 3.5 cm. Width: Approximately 6.0            cm.        -   Shape.—Overall: Typical ivy pelargonium leaf. Base: Open.            Apex: Pointed.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Zonation.—None present.        -   Texture.—A bit leathery and hairy with light pubescence.        -   Aspect.—Ivy shaped.        -   Color.—Young Leaves: Upper surface: 144A. Lower surface:            144A. Mature Leaves: Upper surface: 146A. Lower surface:            146B.        -   Ribs and veins.—Venation: Net-like. Color: Upper surface:            Difficult to see. Lower surface: A bit lighter than the rest            of the leaf.-   Stipules:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Color.—Green.-   Petioles:    -   -   Color.—Green.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.5-3.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0-2.0 mm.-   Main stem:    -   -   Length.—10-12 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.0-5.0 mm.        -   Color.—Green.        -   Internode length.—2.0-4.5 cm.        -   Texture.—Hard.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Internode length.—2.0-4.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Hard, generally. A few branches are hairy.        -   Pubescence.—Light.        -   Color.—Green.

The Bud Measurements Taken Just Prior to Opening

-   Shape:    -   -   Cluster.—Umbel.        -   Individual bud.—Elliptic.-   Size:    -   -   Cluster.—Approximately 6.0 cm in diameter.        -   Individual bud.—Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 8.0 mm.

Inflorescence

-   Natural flowering season: Spring and Summer until frost.-   Blooming habit: Continuous.-   Lastingness of an individual flower: 8-10 days.-   Size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 8.0×10 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 4.0-5.0 cm.-   Borne: Umbel; flowers on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.-   Number of flowers per umbel: Approximately 6.-   Flowers:    -   -   Position.—Above foliage.        -   Form.—Cupped.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 5.0 cm. Depth: Approximately            1.5 cm.        -   Petals.—Number per flower: 5. Color: Upper surface: 52A.            Lower surface: 52B. Tonality from a distance: Apricot.            Shape: Overall: Teardrop. Apex: Round. Base: Open. Size:            Length: 2.5 cm. Width: 1.8 cm. Margin: Entire; Rounded.            Texture: Smooth.-   Petaloids:    -   -   Number.—7-9.        -   Shape.—Like petals, but smaller.        -   Color.—Upper surface: 52A. Lower surface: 52B.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.2 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.6 cm.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.5-3.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Red-touched green.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—8.0-12.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 mm.        -   Color.—143A.        -   Texture.—Hairy.-   Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility to diseases or pests has    been noted to date.-   Temperature tolerance: Between 10° C.-30° C.-   Fragrance: None.-   Drought tolerance: None.

Reproductive Organs

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number per flower.—Approximately 8.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Elliptic. Length: Approximately 1.5 to            2.0 mm. Color: Pink.        -   Filament.—Length: 6.0-9.0 mm. Color: White, generally.            Sometimes there are touches of pink.        -   Pollen.—Color: Orange. Number: Uncountable.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—One.        -   Length.—1.2-1.3 cm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Spider-like. Color: Pink. Size: Medium.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 3.0 mm. Color: White.        -   Ovaries.—Length: 2.0 mm. Width: 2.5 mm. Color: Green.            Pubescence: Present.

1. A new and distinct variety of Pelargonium plant substantially asshown and described.